Photo Credit: SF Gate

On Monday August 6th, 2012, thick black smoke covered the San Francisco Bay Area sky because of a fire from a huge Chevron refinery. This fire sent at least 300 people running to the hospitals complaining about shortness of breath and other smoke related issues. The Chevron Richmond Refinery specializes in gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, lubricants, and chemicals used to manufacture certain products. A diesel leak ignited at one of the Crude Units causing the fire on Monday night.

This fire is raising many health concerns for the citizens living in the Bay and surrounding areas. Plumes of black smoke flooded the skies in the bay area which could be seen for miles. Smoke is always toxic but this type of smoke can be much more highly toxic because of the byproducts from the factory. To help keep people healthy, the County Health Officials sent out automated calls to take shelter, turn off heaters, air conditioning and fans, and cover cracks around the doors leading outside.

Photo Credit: SF Gate

With health issues being the number one priority, citizens are also concerned about rising gas prices. This specific refinery provides 240,000 barrels of crude oil a day to the West Coast. Because of that, gas prices will rise to above $4 a gallon on the West Coast.

Sources

Fox News: Fire at Chevron Refinery Sends Smoke Over San Francisco

Associated Press: Residents near refinery fire heckle Chevron Execs

Join us this year at Intersolar taking place in San Francisco, CA on July 9-12, 2012. The mission of Intersolar is to bring together international companies to gain and share knowledge about the implementation of solar energy around  the world. The Conference is being held at the InterContinental Hotel and involves 30 sessions, over 200 speakers, and over 1,600 attendees. Also taking place from July 10-12 at Intersolar is the exhibition hall which has about 900 exhibitors and will be attended by over  22,000 visitors

ASES at Intersolar

Visit ASES at our booth, L225! SOLAR TODAY Magazine offers a useful gift to new subscribers at Intersolar: a solar-recharged keychain flashlight. Just stop by the booth on your way into Mosconi West Hall 2 and leave us your contact information. You’ll get a free introductory subscription to the award-winning SOLAR TODAY, and your flashlight.

Already a subscriber?  Stop by, meet the editors, and say hello. We’ll give you a thank-you flashlight as thanks for your support of the American Solar Energy Society.

SOLAR TODAY, founded in 1987, is published eight times a year as a focus-point for the renewable energy community.